Saturday, March 7, 2015

“Up Our Sleeves” at the Jerome Artists’ Cooperative Gallery

“Up Our Sleeves” is a show of new works by mixed media artists Michele Naylor and Marjorie Claus at the Jerome Artists’ Cooperative Gallery.  In mixed media art, artists combine a number of mediums to create a single image.
Naylor firmly believes that people need more color in their daily lives. Colors can evoke emotions or stir memories. They can soothe, startle, move and delight us.  As fabric has always been a part of her life, the tactile and colorful qualities of fabric are a major influence in her new abstract pieces. In them, Naylor allows colors, textures and shapes to guide her as she intuitively composes abstract paintings. “These new works feel like a journey. By giving up a little control, I’m discovering things about myself, and for now, I’m enjoying a very colorful ride.”
Claus shares a similar love of color and texture.  A creator of batik art since the early 1970’s, she is now introducing paintings that combine colorful batiks with acrylic and digital collage. In these works she explores incorporating cave art and petroglyph forms in the images. Doing so enables her to express influences from her travels to ancient sites and primitive regions.  “My break-through came when I decided to cut up some of my batiks and incorporate them as collaged elements on a canvas. I am thrilled with how this step has brought me to the doorstep of even more possibilities.”
Jerome Artists’ Cooperative Gallery invites you to view “Up Our Sleeves”
Art walk opening, March 7 from 5-8 pm. Refreshments and entertainment will be provided. Janice Paul will be playing inventive interpretations of the Great American Songbook and other classic jazz tunes on the keyboard.
Show runs March 6 to April 29.
Jerome Artists’ Cooperative Gallery              
502 Main Street Jerome